So often friends will tell me, “well at least you get to do something creative!” This is usually in response to my woes of not getting enough of my own art work completed due to the demands of the daily grind … that being my CAD design work. “There’s a big difference between executing a client’s idea, and working on one of my own” I argue. A smirk & furrowed brows is all I get. Somehow, this point never seems to make an impression, and I surrender with my tail between my legs.
From the outside, contract CAD design work seems indistinguishable from any other type of design work, which for most translates to “creative = creative.” In other words, quit your whining. Creative-schmative, you’re making stuff! True, I do make stuff … everyday … and I couldn’t be more grateful for that opportunity. However, my skills translate into my being a tool for others. My clients come to me with an idea, and a variety of skill sets, which for one reason or another lacks a CAD designer in their tool chest. So, I help them bring their ideas to life…or to metal at least. It’s a fun thing to be able to do, and it allows me to work on projects that I otherwise never would have embarked upon on my own. Still, other than occassional gentle nudges in what I believe is a good creative direction, my role is primarily to execute their concept, and not muddy things up by tossing in my 10 to 50 cents on the matter creatively.
I recently stumbled upon an opportunity which will allow me to unleash my voracious left brain while utilizing my CAD skills. Hear choir of angels….NOW! I’ll be able to work on the design part of things as well as the CAD end. That’s concept AND execution. This is a balance that I’ve been striving towards for some time, and I couldn’t be more excited to tackle it.